Scuba Center - Madeira Wreck Diving -- Lake Superior near Split Rock Lighthouse

Madeira Shipwreck Diving

The Madeira was a 436 ft steel hull ship that ran into Gold Rock just north of Split Rock Lighthouse during the storm on November 4, 1905. This wreck now lies in 20 to 110 ft. of water. The Madeira is probably the most popular wreck dive in Minnesota. This shipwreck can accessed from boat or shore. A special diver parking lot has been provided for shore diving. The Madeira shore access is located just North of the main entrance to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (Minn. Hwy. 61, 20 miles northeast of Two Harbors).

The Minnesota Historical Society can provide detailed Madeira history and reference information.		Madeira GPS Coordinates:
		47^o 12.360' N
		91^o21.480' W

Madeira Shipwreck Diver Access

GOLD ROCK POINT PARKING - - SPLIT ROCK LIGHTHOUSE STATE PARK

Parking in the Gold Rock lot is available to divers only and was developed to provide divers with a safe access point for transporting gear to the beach. Parking is not allowed on the approach to the gate, on the Gitchi Gami biking trail or on highway shoulders.

Madeira Wreck Diver Parking Lot - - Entrance sign - - Located just North of the main entrance to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (Minn. Hwy. 61, 20 miles northeast of Two Harbors). - - Photo: Scuba Center

Madeira Wreck Diver Parking Lot - - Entrance gate - - Viewed from Minnesota Hwy. 61 - - Photo: Scuba Center

Vehicle permits are required to park in the diver lot. A Diver’s Certification Card is also required to be authorized to use the lot. A combination will be provided to access the lot. This combination will change regularly.

You may purchase a daily or annual park permit at any Minnesota State Park office. If you arrive when the office is closed, you may purchase a vehicle permit using self registration. Envelopes are located outside the main park office.

Madeira Wreck Diver Parking Lot - - Viewed from entrance - - Photo: Scuba Center

Emergency signage and interpretive information is posted at Gold Rock Point to enhance your experience. Questions concerning access to Gold Rock Point or other issues concerning the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park may be directed to the park office at: (218) 226-6377 or email.

Get Detailed Madeira Diver Access Procedures

Madeira Wreck Diver Access Stairs - - Viewed from the beach just north of Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, Minnesota - - Photo: Scuba Center

Thanks to the efforts of the GLSPS, buoys have been established to mark the Bow and Stern sections of the Madeira. In the photo below (from the beach) the Bow buoy is located to the left and the Stern is to the right.

Madeira Shipwreck Bow and Stearn buoys. Thanks to the efforts of the GLSPS, buoys have been established to mark the Bow and Stearn sections of the Madeira. - - Viewed from the beach just north of Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, Minnesota. Bow buoy is in left of photo - - Photo: Scuba Center

Annual Wreck Diving Events

Dive Into the Past
Twin Cities Shipwreck & SCUBA Show
Presented by: GLSPS
Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society

Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society -- GLSPS -- The GLSPS was formed in May 1996 as an instrument to stabilize and restore our deteriorating shipwrecks of the Great Lakes region. The GLSPS is a non-profit tax exempt 501.c.3 organization whose members are divers, historians, and those who share a common love of shipwrecks and a vision of preserving these underwater treasures. The GLSPS was formed to deal with the unique technological and legal aspects of these underwater sites.

Wreck Diving Classes

Isle Royale

Madeira

Related Information

Order Great Lakes Wreck Diving Books Online

Project AWARE Respect Our Wrecks

Check out our Wreck Diving section for information on other Great Lakes diving information.

Check out our Cave Diving Section, many cave techniques have applications in wreck diving.

Check out our Historical and Vintage Diving Section to see how diving equipment has evolved.

Check out our Technical Diving Section for information on many types of specialty equipment.

While these are excellent reference materials, in no way should this information be considered a replacement for proper training for the specific type of diving in which you plan to participate.